Archive for June, 2019

June 25th, 2019

Report of 15th BIRD SURVEY around GRENFELL in the SOUTH WEST SLOPES KEY Biodiversity Area

Elisabeth Karplus

On Saturday March 23rd, 32 surveyors took part in the 15th survey around Grenfell in the South West Slopes Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). The survey group included four surveyors from Grenfell. One surveyor came from Forbes, six from Canberra while the rest came from Sydney and surrounds. Eight people were new to the survey. We were able to have seven survey groups with most groups surveying on four sites. Other survey leaders apart from myself were Allan Richards, Jill Molan, Ron Broomham, Graham Fry, David Winterbottom and Russell Beardmore. I thank all the survey leaders.

During the survey 11 Superb Parrots were seen on five sites including on “Rosemont”, which is owned by Mikla Lewis, one of the Grenfell surveyors. However 70 additional Superb Parrots were seen during the weekend with a maximum flock size of 29 birds. A single Diamond Firetail was seen on one site in Warraderry State Forest. Of other threatened species, one Brown Treecreeper, six Hooded Robins (three sites) and four Speckled Warbler (three sites) were seen on survey sites. Several interesting species were seen in Warraderry State Forest including two Southern Whitefaces, Varied Sittellas, a Striped Honeyeater and Double-barred Finches. Another unexpected sighting was of a Peregrine Falcon. Seven species of honeyeaters were seen including a single White-fronted Honeyeater, which is more common further inland.

Red-capped Robin Photographer: Colette Livermore

Overall 25 Red-capped Robins were seen on eight different sites. The maximum number of species seen on any site was 14 species (two sites). The maximum number of birds in any site was 84 (49 of these were Apostlebirds or White-winged Choughs) though most sites had many fewer birds.